Written by

Andrea Mandell and Cindy Clark, USA TODAY

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Ben Affleck may have been snubbed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday morning when Oscar nominations were announced, but things were looking up Thursday night when he took home the Critics' Choice award for best director for Argo.

"I would like to thank the academy... I'm kidding, I'm kidding. This is the one that counts," said a grinning Affleck upon accepting the award.

Making his night even better: Argo -- which did receive a best picture Oscar nomination -- took home the Critics' Choice award for best picture. ...